The de Winter team were amid telly royalty as they joined Coronation Street actor William Roache for the opening of a new training and information centre in Macclesfield for client Deafness Support Network.

Bill, the street's Ken Barlow, has hearing difficulties himself and is supporting a campaign by DSN called 'Don't Keep Deafness Quiet' which aims to raise awareness of deafness and to encourage those affected by deafness to speak out and seek any support they need in day-to-day life.

He said: "It's shocking that 80 per cent of people get eye tests but only 8 per cent of people get hearing tests- such a tiny fraction. The work of a charity like DSN is so valuable to the deaf community to let them know there is help and advice out there for you- just don't suffer in silence."

Bill officially cut the ribbon to open the centre with two children who are deaf, Aiden and Amber, before giving a short speech and then taking a tour of the new offices.